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Chinese Export Decorative Objects

CHINESE EXPORT STYLE

Expanded trade between Europe and East Asia, starting in the 16th century, led to a booming market for exported goods, particularly furniture. This was bolstered by the establishment of the Dutch and English East India Companies at the beginning of the 17th century. From folding screens and chairs to lacquer tables and silver, Chinese Export furniture was in demand and regularly copied and imitated, leading to styles like chinoiserie and Chinese Chippendale.

The expansion of exporting that had strengthened the arts during the Ming dynasty continued into the Qing dynasty era — Chinese designers made many furniture pieces specifically for export, resulting in distinctive designs that mixed traditional techniques with forms appealing to foreign buyers. For instance, cabinetmakers in Canton (modern-day Guangzhou) were prolific in crafting hardwood furniture for export in European styles that involved the expert joinery techniques of Chinese furniture. Designs for Chinese Export porcelain, cabinets, decorative objects and other furniture were often more ornately adorned than they would be for a local audience, such as with mother-of-pearl overlays or surfaces featuring lavish pictorial scenes or gold on black motifs. Some were even commissioned by wealthy European families to be adorned with their coat of arms.

Because lacquer furniture was especially prized, and the resin used to create it was difficult to import as it would harden during the long voyage, artisans in China and Japan exported numerous lacquer pieces. Long before lacquer made its way to Japan, the Chinese treated the material differently. They used it to create smooth, glossy surfaces, but also for carving, an art that began in the 12th century and is exclusively Chinese. These pieces are called cinnabar lacquer after the powdered mercury sulfide (cinnabar) employed to produce their characteristic red hue. A popular form for export was a compact cabinet with drawers, usually displayed on a small table. Undecorated furniture built in Europe was also shipped to China to be lacquered. The international exchange of design would influence furniture into the 19th century and later, informing styles such as Art Deco and Art Nouveau.

Find a collection of antique Chinese Export tables, beds, cupboards, table lamps and more furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Chinese Export
19th Century Hand Painted / Gilt Footed Satsuma Vase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Step into the allure of the 19th century with this exquisite Hand-Painted and Gilt Footed Satsuma Vase. Meticulously crafted, this vase embodies the artistic finesse and cultural her...
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Large Famille Rose Chinese Covered Porcelain Jar With Garden Decoration
Located in Free Union, VA
A large and very decorative Famille Rose porcelain jar featuring a traditional theme in Chinese porcelain, an idyllic garden with an ornamental fence and rockery, from which a flower...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Of Cerulean Blue Chinese Porcelain Hat Stands / Wig Stands
Located in Free Union, VA
A beautiful pair of polychrome porcelain cylinders, with bright enameled zoomorphic and foliate decoration in orange, rose, green and yellow on a striking and rare patterned ground c...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Huge Scale 32″ Decorative Chinese Porcelain Fish Bowl Jardinière Planter
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A superb decorative Chinese Porcelain Fish Bowl Jardinière Planter, rarely seen in this scale, this large 32″ diameter example makes for an unique...
Category

Early 20th Century East Asian Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Chrysanthemum Ginger Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This large, tapered ginger jar continues a centuries-old tradition of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain ware. Painted with expressive brushwork, the jar is festooned with trailing vines and flower blossoms, densely patterned around large chrysanthemum medallions. Common motifs in Chinese art...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-20th Century Chinese Hand Carved Cinnabar Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This vase was made during the Mid-20th Century in Beijing. It is very unique with intricate carving works of landscaping and characters. The workmanship is superb. It is very rare t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Lacquer

20th Century Chinese Hand-Woven Bamboo Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This rare and magnificent Vintage Chinese bamboo vase was 100% hand woven with bamboo strips. It has very exquisite bamboo weave honesty with detailed dragon carving on the side ears. It is truly an antique and collectible...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bamboo

Large Pair Chinese Famille Rose Moon flasks, 1880.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive pair of 19th Century Chinese Famille Rose Moon flasks, each with classical motif boarders, gilded serpent handles to either side, inset hand painted panels depictin...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Red Lacquer Square Fantail Vases
Located in Chicago, IL
Made for serving food and spirits, this narrow wine table once gathered together convivial imbibers who engaged in group toasts and lively conversation. Dated to the 19th century, th...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Pair of Kerosene Lamps with Birds in Chinese Style
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of French antique kerosene lamps. The bronze paunch is decorated with birds on branches and flowers in Chinese style. What makes these lamps stun...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Chinese Cloisonné Porcelain Enamel Figural Crane and Deer Vase - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Cloisonné Porcelain Enamel Figural Crane and Deer Vase - a Pair. Item features a removable carved wooden base, crane birds, deer, and flowers throughout, large impres...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Chinese Hand Painted FooDog Ginger Jar
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Antique Chinese Famille-Rose porcelain Ginger Jar was 100% hand made and hand paint from famous Chinese Famille-Rose Porcelain. It has beautiful hand painted foo dog...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-20th Century Chinese Colored Glaze Ceramic Elephant Garden Seat/Plant Stand
Located in Pomona, CA
This pair of magnificent Chinese colored glazed ceramic elephant garden seat are hand made and hand carved in about 1950's. In ancient China, elephant represent lucky and peaceful life which were Chinese people hoping for. Look at the pictures, this beautiful pair of elephant seats...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Flambè Glazed Hu Vase With Elephant Head Handles
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 20th century Chinese Flambè Hu vase with elephant handles. Beautifully fired with shades of purple and blue throughout. Mouth of vase is 4" in diameter. Possibly from the Repub...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Pair Imari Porcelain Chinese Export Decorative Plate
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Journey back in time to the 19th century with this captivating pair of Imari Porcelain Chinese Export Decorative Plates. These plates encapsulate...
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Chinese Blue and White Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese ceramic blue and white glazed and part molded and engraved vase, the rim with geometric etching, the neck with bronzed punts and blue and white decoration, the shoulder in lo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Enameled Ginger Jar with Children at Play, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Contrasted by a crisp white field, this oval jar is decorated in the famille rose style with a lively scene of young children playing in a courtyard garden. Under an overarching bamb...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Hand Carved Soap Stone Chinese Buddha Sculpture
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional vintage hand carved stone chinese Buddha.
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Hand Painted / Gilt Gold Decorated Imari Porcelain Vase / Foo Dog Side Handle
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Transport yourself to the opulence of the 19th century with this exquisite Hand-Painted and Gilt Gold Decorated Imari Porcelain Vase, featuring a captivating foo dog side handle. Met...
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Chinese Export Style Porcelain Oval Basin
Located in New York, NY
With applied handles to the sides, painted in blue monochrome with band of swags under the rim, over crown, shield motifs and sparse stylized flowers; the interior with three leaves ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Large Antique Chinese Porcelain Roosters
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of 1920’s Chinese Porcelain Roosters. Vibrantly painted and decorated in polychrome application. The roosters are shown in their typical...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Wooden Buddha Sculpture
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Wonderful hand carved vintage Buddha sculpture in the Chinese depiction. Features a detailed sculpting of children crawling on the man.
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

19th Century Chinese Life-Size Carved Acupuncture Sculptural Figure
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fascinating late 19th century Chinese near life sized carved sculptural figure of a male demonstrating and labeling acupuncture points. Crafted from ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Fabric, Plaster, Wood

Mini Pair of Vintage Turquoise Glazed Ceramic Foo Dogs, China, circa 1980's
Located in Chatham, ON
Miniature pair of vintage turquoise glazed ceramic Foo Dogs - molded forms - hand painted glossy glaze - unsigned - China - circa 1980's. Excellent vintage condition - minor glaze...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Bronze Cloisonne Powder Box with Prunus - Unsigned - China - Mid-20th C
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage bronze cloisonne lacquer powder box featuring Prunus blossoms - removeable lid - unsigned - China - mid 20th century. Excellent vintage condition - no loss - no damage - n...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

19th Century Hand-Carved Mahogany Chinese Export Humidor
Located in Lomita, CA
A "remarkable" hand carved mahogany humidor box according to the appraiser has detailed carving of junk boats and temples, and recalls Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong where the piece wa...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Mahogany

Late 19th Century Chinese White and Blue Porcelain Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This 19th century blue and white porcelain vase is a classical Chinese vase. The vase features hand painted intricate traditional chinese floral and landscapes in shades of blue on a...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Cleric's Swing Out Case, Chinese, Travelling Box, Qing, Victorian, 1890
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cleric's swing-out case. A Chinese, hardwood travelling box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1890. Charmingly provincial box, presented in original tim...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Small Vintage Brush Pot, Chinese, Ceramic, Windowsill Planter, Oriental Decor
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small vintage brush pot. A Chinese, ceramic windowsill planter with Oriental decor, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Delightfully decorative small pot, useful ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Export Large Blue and White Porcelain Aquatic Bowl
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty large Chinese blue and white bowl hand decorated with aquatic fauna and flora having a rare touch of whimsy.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Beautiful Pair of Mandarin Chinese Vases 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Mandarin Chinese Vases 19th century perfect condition without hairs or restorations original state 45cm x 27cm
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Striking Set 3 Large Antique Colorful Handpainted Chinese Metal Tea Canisters
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking large set of 3 antique metal hand painted Chinese tea canisters having wonderful graphic decoration. Colors are orange, black and green.
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

One of Two Chinese Porcelain Glazed Figural Ginger Jars with Lids, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Two Chinese blue and white porcelain glazed decorative figural and floral ginger jars with the original removable lids, 19th century. Measure: Diameter 28 cm. Height 28 cm. Two of t...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Cloisonné War Horse Sculptures on Mahogany Base - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Chinese Cloisonné War Horse Sculptures on Mahogany Base - Pair Exquisite Set of 2 vintage Chinese Cloisonne' war horse sculptures on maho...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Pair of opaline glass lantern vases (1925-1930)
Located in Oostende, BE
The design of this pair of vases refers to Chinese lampions and are made using the technique of moulded pressed glass.
Category

1920s French Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Opaline Glass

Japanese Enameled Bronze Vase. 20th C
Located in New York, NY
Japanese cloisonne enameled bronze vase in the Chinese style with four sides, and rabbit handles, the sides enameled in imitation of Shang period examples. Dimensions: 14.25" H x 7....
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Large 18thC Chinese Export Porcelain Bowl Imari 10.6 inch dia., Qing Circa 1770
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Large 10.6 inch diameter Chinese Export porcelain footed Bowl with hand painted Imari decoration, which we date to the second half of the 18th Century, Qing period, circa 1...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Vietnamese Silver Treasure Box with Guardian Dragons
Located in New York, NY
Vietnamese silver box, late 19th century. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged. Box sides have embossed blossoming branches, bamboo...
Category

Late 19th Century Vietnamese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Pair, Ming Dynasty Gilt Bronze Diminutive Chinese Foo Dogs / Guardian Lions
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, Ming Dynasty. Pair, Ming Dynasty Gilt Bronze Diminutive Chinese Foo Dogs or Guardian Lions of extraordinary quality and casting. Procured from an important New York Collect...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Parrots on Stands 1st half of 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A PAIR OF CHINESE CLOISONNE ENAMEL PARROTS ON STANDS 1st half of 20th century Each multi-coloured parrot is naturalistically modelled. The details of its feathers finely depicted, g...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Chinese Export Porcelain Koi Fish Form Vases
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Chinese export porcelain vases in the form of Koi fishes, both male and female, each with Chinese seal marks to bottom in overglaze iron red. Dimensions: 12" H x 8.5" W x 4....
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chines Famille Verte Figural Vases with Kangxi Style Mark
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair of Chines Famille Verte Figural Vases with Kangxi Style Mark
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Yellow Peaking Glass Scenic & Hardstone Snuff Bottle & Stand, Signed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Yellow Peaking Glass Scenic & Hardstone Snuff Bottle & Stand, Signed China, 1900s- 20th Century A beautiful Chinese yellow Peking glass scenic & hardstone snuff bottle & s...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Chinese White and Green Vegetal Winter Melon Porcelain Vase
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) winter melon-form porcelain vase decorated with an incised, white bottom half that grows into verdant abstracted vegetal and peacock shapes on th...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain clock set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very dramatic and decorative 19th Century Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain clock set. having wonderful gilded ormolu mounts, with my...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of large Chinese blue vases , converted into lamps
Located in London, GB
Pair of large Chinese blue vases , mid to late nineteenth century, converted into lamps, with enamel decorations of birds courting among flowering sh...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Early 20th Century Chinese Hand Painted FooDog Ginger Jar
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Antique Chinese Famille-Rose porcelain Ginger Jar was 100% hand made and hand paint from famous Chinese Famille-Rose Porcelain. It has beautiful hand painted foo dog...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

A Pair of Late 18th-Early 19th Century Chinese Lidded Jars
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of late 18th-early 19th century Chinese beautifully painted famille rose lidded jars. Very impressive with iron straps to secure and lock the lids. Jars are raised on 5" woode...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

STUNNiNG HAND CARVED TEAK ROUND TOP PLANT STAND LEAVE TOP SHAPE & STUNNING LEGS
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this gorgeous Chinese hand carved teak plant stand, petal shaped top and stunning legs. This beautiful piece shows hand-carved motif decorations a...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Chinese Export Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Palace Urns
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain urns with cat lid handles and ambitiously hand decorated with aquatic fauna and flora having a rare touch of whimsy.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Pair of Brass Asian Modern Candlesticks 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Probably from the 1960s, Brass Candle Prickets inspired by the altar candleholders used on shrines throughout Asia. Workmanship is very good in the manufacturing of the items, thus p...
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Cloisonné Box with Colored Flowers and Animals Pattern China 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This Box is a late Quing Ceramic cloisonné Box. It has been made in China in the 19th Century. Blue, Red, and Black color. The decoration patterns are flowers and dog.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Asian Jardinière, Planter, Cachepot or Fish Bowl, Tony Duquette
Located in Stamford, CT
Asian Jardinière, Planter, Cachepot or Fish Bowl, Tony Duquette A finely crafted Cachepot or Fish Bowl in the manner of Tony Duquette having double Dragons in a pleasing Silhouette...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay, Pottery

Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Cloisonne Pot
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this magnificent Antique Chinese Cloisonne Pot. It shows very detailed hand craft works of cloisonne art - a lot of Chinese traditional f...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Heavy Pair Of Vintage Horse Figures, Oriental Stone, Fireside Ornament, Bookends
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a heavy pair of vintage horse and groom figures. An Oriental, stone fireside ornament or bookends, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Charming figures of substanti...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Getty Collection / Pair of Chinese Iron-Red and Gilt ''Faux Bois'' Jardineres
Located in Dallas, TX
a pair of Chinese iron-red and gilt ''faux bois'' jardineres molded in the shape of a wooden bucket with scattered floral sprays, single hole for drainage, QING DYNASTY, China. 19th ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Old Chinese Export Double Walled Blue & White Porcelain Jardiniere or Planter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine old or antique double walled Chinese porcelain jardiniere. With a wide blue & white decorated rim above honey comb lattice work double walled sides. Supported by bracket...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Mid 20th Century Chinese Hand Paint Porcelain Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese porcelain vases was hand made and hand paint from famous Chinese Porcelain. It has hand painted Chinese traditional folks arts of "Fu Shou Yan nian, Fu Gui R...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Hung Chong & Co., Mottahedeh, and Samson & Cie. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $68 and tops out at $216,780 while the average work can sell for $1,500.

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